Chapter Five Summary

A few weeks after the wedding, Hank's mother, Ma Richards, writes to say that she's coming down for a visit. Julie is excited and nervous to meet her mother-in-law for the first time, and hopes that they will get along. While Hank picks up his mother, Julie does whatever she can to clean the house, making it presentable for Ma Richards. Wherever she goes, Mr. Pendergast hovers around her, watching. Julie asks about his family but Pendergast has none. His wife has been dead for four years and he hasn't seen his stepchildren since the funeral. Doing what she can to pass the time, Julie kills and plucks a chicken for dinner, bakes biscuits, and prepares and apple pie. When Ma Richards finally arrives, Julie's nerves threaten to get the better of her. Ma Richards is tiny but fierce. Shrewd black...